South Side Resident Charged with Interstate Stalking

PITTSBURGH—A Pittsburgh resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of interstate stalking, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on August 5, named Frederick H. Banks, 47, of 52 South 8th Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment Banks harassed an individual through telephone calls and a Craigslist posting.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Magistrate Judge Keith A. Pesto ordered Banks detained pending trial.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.